Harish Kumar, the Asian Games bronze medalist is Back to Selling Tea for a Living

Harish Kumar, a member of bronze winning Sepak Takraw team at Asian Games is back to selling tea at a shop that is run by his family. With an overall haul of 69 medals, the Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2018 has broken the previous record and made the whole nation proud. However, many athletes, even after winning highly-coveted medals are back to their daily lives and to their daily grind. Delhi’s Harish Kumar was part of the 12-member Indian team for Sepak Takraw, which clinched India’s first medal ever, a bronze, in this sport at the Asian Games.

Asian Games bronze medallist Harish Kumar is an autorickshaw driver in Delhi. Every single day ahead of Asian Games, he would practice at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi after performing his duties of a driver just so that he could make the squad. He finally made it to the Indian team and went on to win a historic bronze medal.

His father is an auto driver and we have a tea stall which is run with Harish’s help. We are poor but we never let that demotivate him in his journey. I would like to thank the govt and his coach for their support: Indira Devi, Mother of Harish Kumar #Delhipic.twitter.com/DtKmSavCVf

Harish Kumar, a member of bronze winning Sepak Takraw team at #AsianGames sells tea at a shop that is run by his family, he says,”since there are more people at home and less people to earn, I sell tea. I want a job now so that I can support my family.” #Delhipic.twitter.com/YQw19bqFtC

He is one of the youngest members of the squad and has worked immensely hard. And he still has to sell tea at his father’s shop to support his family.”I have many family members and there is a very meagre source of income. I help my father at the tea shop to support my family. I dedicate four hours every day between 2 to 6 for my practice. For my future, I want to get a good job to support my family,” Harish told ANI while at his small tea shop.

We are very poor&I would like to congratulate him for making the country proud. Our coach Hemraj Sir spotted us&called us to play. SAI had also helped us a lot. I would like to thank CM Kejriwal for announcing Rs50 lakh&Sports Ministry for giving Rs5 lakh: Brother of Harish Kumar pic.twitter.com/egdPmb1FZB

The state governments and the centre felicitate and give cash awards along with promises of government jobs to the players. However, at times these promises remain mere promises and the lack of a steady job can hamper the possibility of future medals. It is our responsibility as a society which takes so much pride in our achievements in sports, to ensure that the players get the required support when they need it the most.